Inter Miami drew their third consecutive game in MLS with a 1-1 result against Charlotte FC, with Lionel Messi back on the scoresheet.
The Argentine international found the back of the net in the second-half to draw the Herons level against Dean Smith’s side to ensure Inter Miami kept up their unbeaten record heading into Wednesday’s massive MLS clash with Supporters’ Shield rivals Columbus Crew.
With Messi having arguably his worst MLS performance last weekend against New York City FC, though, it’s clear that the 37-year-old is still trying to shake off some rust having missed the last two months of action due to an ankle injury.
And MLS expert Andrew Wiebe has now shared why Messi looked so out of shape against Charlotte.
Messi’s finishing all over the place for Inter Miami vs Charlotte
Speaking on MLS Wrap-Up, Wiebe highlighted how Messi couldn’t quite connect with the ball as well as he usually does, with the former FC Barcelona star missing a number of golden opportunities to score for Inter Miami.
Wiebe said when analyzing a one-on-one Messi missed: “That chance looks like money in the bank when Messi is in behind from the backline, he picks his spot but couldn’t quite connect with the ball for so much of today, it was really out of character.”
Indeed, although Messi scored a superb goal from distance to rescue a point for Inter Miami, the reigning Ballon d’Or holder was far from his best at Chase Stadium this weekend despite a number of good chances against Charlotte.
Yet with Messi regaining more match fitness with each passing game, the Argentine international could be at the top of his game by the time the play-offs roll around, the exact moment in the season Inter Miami want their captain at his otherworldly best.
Messi knows he needs to improve in the final regular season games
With Inter Miami needing to win their last three games if they’re to beat the MLS regular season record, the Herons will have to see Messi improve in front of goal having only scored once in his last three games.
And with the Crew coming up next for the Herons, Messi faces what will be his biggest test yet on the pitch since returning from injury, with Tata Martino highlighting Columbus as the best team in MLS this year.
Messi knows he needs to improve heading into these final regular season games, and with a shot of history on the line, the Argentine will want to give it his all against the likes of Columbus in the coming weeks.